The boss of the Christie hospital was suspended after she was accused of trying to use NHS cash to cover a trip to Ibiza, the MEN can reveal.

Caroline Shaw, the chief executive of the Withington hospital, was sent home before Christmas - but NHS bosses have repeatedly refused to comment on the reason.

But the M.E.N understands she was suspended because of concerns about a weekend trip to the Spanish island with high-profile business leaders.

It comes amid an escalating row between directors at the cancer hospital, whose chairman Lord Bradley announced plans to quit on Friday.

The M.E.N previously reported that Ms Shaw’s suspension was linked to consultancy firm Best Companies Ltd, who collate the Sunday Times Top 100 Companies to Work For list.

Ms Shaw and Jonathan Hamilton Austin, founder and chief executive of Best Companies Ltd, are both members of a networking group called the Young Presidents’ Organisation.

It has now emerged that Christie bosses suspended Ms Shaw after she attended a networking trip to Ibiza with other members of the business group, including Mr Hamilton Austin, in September.

It is understood that hospital bosses accused Ms Shaw of using NHS money to cover her expenses for attending the Spanish networking event.

However Ms Shaw is thought to deny the allegation and claims that a bill from Best Companies which is disputed by the hospital - for around £2,500 - was for legitimate consultancy work at the hospital.

The company is understood to have carried out several thousand pounds worth of work - including an extensive survey of staff - but offered some of its services to the hospital for free.

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